Chenab vs Ravi Sand: Which Sand Is Best for Plaster & Concrete? (2026 Guide)

Sand looks like the simplest material on your site — and quietly causes the most problems. Cracked plaster, weak concrete slabs, seepage and powdery walls can almost always be traced back to the wrong sand or dirty sand. Yet a trolley of good sand and bad sand can differ by only Rs. 1,500–2,000, which is why contractors cut corners here.

If you are building in Jhelum, you will be offered two main river sands: Chenab sand and Ravi sand. This guide explains exactly which one to use where, how to test quality in 10 minutes with a water bottle, and what sand should actually cost in 2026. For the complete picture of all material rates, see our building material price list for Jhelum.

Chenab Sand vs Ravi Sand — The Real Difference

The short answer: Chenab sand for anything structural — concrete, slab, columns, lintels — and for the final plaster coat. Ravi sand is acceptable for brick masonry mortar (ucha kaam below plaster), backfilling and floor filling, where its higher silt does far less damage.

Why does silt matter so much? Silt and clay particles coat the sand grains and stop cement from gripping them. In concrete, that can cost you 15–30% of your strength — your 1:2:4 mix quietly becomes a weaker mix. In plaster, excess silt shrinks as it dries and pulls the surface into hairline cracks that later let in moisture.

Which Sand for Which Job (Quick Table)

If your budget is tight, the smart compromise most Jhelum builders use: Chenab for the slab and plaster, Ravi for masonry and filling. Mixing them 50/50 for masonry mortar is also common practice.

The 10-Minute Bottle Test (Silt Test)

Never accept a sand trolley on trust — test it on the spot:

1. Fill a clear water bottle one-third with sand, two-thirds with clean water.
2. Shake hard for 30 seconds and place it on a level surface.
3. Wait one hour. Heavy sand settles at the bottom; a soft silt layer forms on top.
4. Measure both layers. If the silt layer is more than about 8–10% of the sand layer, reject the trolley or demand a price cut — and if you must use it for concrete, wash it first.

Do this test in front of the supplier. Honest suppliers expect it; the ones who argue are telling you something.

Sand Rates in Jhelum (2026)

Three things move these numbers: diesel prices (transport dominates sand pricing), season (river dredging slows in flood months), and your distance from the main road — a site inside a narrow street can add Rs. 5–10 per foot³ in extra trolley/unloading charges. Always confirm whether a quoted rate is delivered and measured level (stra, not heaped) — heaped measurement silently adds 15–25% to your cost.

One more trap: wet sand "bulks" — it looks up to 20–30% bigger in volume than dry sand for the same weight. If you are batching concrete by volume, ask your mason to account for bulking, otherwise your mix gets sand-rich and weak.

How Much Sand Does a 5 Marla House Need?

As a planning thumb rule for a single-storey 5 marla grey structure:

Not sure about your exact numbers? Our free construction calculators work out bricks, cement, steel and aggregate in seconds, and our plaster calculation guide covers mortar quantities in detail.

Common Sand Mistakes That Cost Real Money

1. Using Ravi sand in slab concrete to save Rs. 3,000–4,000 — the slab is the last place to economize.
2. Trusting the label — "Chenab" trolleys are sometimes mixed or swapped on the way. The bottle test settles it.
3. Ordering during rain — wet sand arrives over-measured in volume but you pay for water.
4. Storing sand directly on soil — the bottom layer mixes with mud. Lay a polythene sheet or brick platform first.
5. Accepting heaps instead of level measures — always measure struck-level with a straight edge.

Sand FAQ

Can I mix Chenab and Ravi sand? For masonry mortar and filling, yes. For concrete and plaster, use clean Chenab only.

Is wash sand different? "Washed" means the supplier has flushed out silt. It costs slightly more and is worth it for concrete — if you trust the source, test anyway.

Does old stock sand go bad? No, sand does not expire — but sand stored on open soil picks up mud and roots. Keep it on a raised, sheeted platform.

Need Today's Sand Rate?

Sand is a daily-price material — we quote you the live kiln-and-river rate with delivery included within our regular Jhelum delivery area (about 10–15 km around Jhelum city centre). Call or WhatsApp Khokhar Traders at +92 331 5083 648, or send us your quantities for an itemized quote. You can also visit our material yard to test the sand yourself before it loads.